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Living to work - Working to live

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3 May 2018

Do you sometimes find that you return to themes and ideas? Things that you have tried once and need to try again? Not quite working in a series (oh, I wish I had the time and space to work in a series and see a whole body of work develop over a period of months) but revisiting a theme from time to time?

Well, I have had the concept of Alchemy buzzing around in my head since 2015. I guess turning base metal into gold is what artists do - take unpromising 'ingredients' and turn them into things of beauty or into work to challenge the senses.

(Side note: my studio before this was definitely the best studio I have ever had. Bloody cold in winter and shocking lighting - so not actually the best then, just the one with the most potential - but opening onto the garden and great space. I was only there 2 years, and as with all rented properties, there is only so much you can do to make a space work for you because of the limitations of renting.)

Any way, my first piece - Alchemy I.

I did not take any photographs to capture the work in progress but it was a monoprint tissue background with additional collage and stamping.

The vessel was made separately and printed with lettering and the flames are organza and free motion embroider with hand beading done on soluble fabric which has been dissolved.

I mounted it myself (and painted the edge of the inner mount gold) as I wanted some of the stitched layer to go over the mount.

Since this photo was taken (a little while back) this has been mounted into a frame.

So, onto Alchemy II. The starting point for this piece were some science pages from an old book sourced from a charity shop and gradually being used for collage and printing.

Then I made myself a very simple stencil from card and began to add flames (gesso and inktense pencils here).

Then I stamped into tissue and collaged the tissue onto the work. You will see that I also did a very simple wash of yellow where some of the background white was showing through. Again I used inktense pencils for this. I started off liking the white, but really it would probably have been better, on reflection, to have put a wash of colour over the whole paper before I started.

Next I turned my attention to the vessel. I used some hand coloured vilene (again inktense) mounted onto Pelmet Vilene.

The 'ribbon' was from my stash. This is nylon organza captured between soluble film, stitched and then cut and burnt with a soldering iron to give a bit of texture. I must have had this bit quite a few years because I haven't done any of that for a while.

And I added extra embroidery with metallic thread to the vessel. I used Modge Podge for this piece. I do like the way it sticks but it does dull the metallic sheen from the wrappers slightly.

Next the top layer of flame. Now at this point it is having a rest, because I cannot decide if it needs more. I also need to find a mount because the edge is distracting. I should say that neither the top flames or the vessel are stuck down at this stage.

But I did decide that more was needed on the base layer - so I stencilled some lettering onto tissue paper which I then again stuck onto the base layer with the modge podge glue.

I apologise that the photo is on it's side but you can see the wonderful transparent effect of the various layers. I love using tissue paper for this reason. If you are wondering, I used Fresco Acrylic paints for the lettering and a commercial stencil I have had for ages.

Now, there is still some way to go with this piece. I think the vessel needs a bit more work and I am mulling over whether to add more flame. So I will leave it there but will let you know how it developes.

24 April 2018

As you may know, I sometimes have little 'creative outings' in Milton Keynes under the umbrella of Mix3d Stitch. We have had some very successful shows - notably 'Transformation' which we hung in the Gallery at Christ the Cornerstone Church in central Milton Keynes.

My Mix3d Stitch colleagues, Jane Charles and Yvonne Elliott, recently curated another exhibition at the gallery and some of the work was so stunning I thought you might enjoy a little wander round the exhibits.

The theme was 'Shape and Form' - using architecture and the built environment for inspiration. Running alongside there was also work from the local Embroiderers Guild members called 'Under My Feet' - and the two worked beautifully together.

Here is a selection that caught my eye.

First up, from one of the Embroiderers Guild members is 'Puddle on a field path' by Elsie Probert which won the 'Julia Caprara award for Colour.'

Next is 'Turkish Ruins' by Hilary Hollis. This was one of the 'Shape and Form' entries.

And next, a few pieces I was very taken with. Again these were in 'Shape and Form'.

These are the 'Chimneys of Oxburgh Hall' by Ann Cooke. And, safe to say, I was smitten by these.

And Ann also had a small sketch book on display.

I cannot tell you how much I loved these. I just love 3d interpretations in stitch.

Ann had also submitted a few more traditional/conventional pieces (well, I suppose not so conventional. I think what I mean is that they are in 2D) including the piece below - a stunning interpretation of old stained glass- called Old Stained Glass.

And this piece, inspired by Coventry Cathedral.

Meanwhile, back with the embroidery.

This piece was called 'Mind Your Step' by Su Arlington. This was another winner. In this case the Constance Howard award for Most Outstanding Piece.

Next, another stunning piece from the Embroiderers Guild.

This is 'Dungeness Beach by Jean Chisholm. This won the Val Campbell-Harding award for Machine Embroidery.

Back to Shape and Form.

The little concertina book and the panel below, inspired by stained glass, are by Jane Charles.

And Jane also did these 'blocks' inspired by Milton Keynes (yes, it really does have a windmill).

Below, Guiding Lights by Linda Wilkes.

Cross over by Nicola Saunderson. This was a silk painting - a new technique for Nicola who usually uses pen and pencil.

And finally, 'Dreaming Cupolas' by Yvonne Elliott.

The exhibition runs until the end of April and, if you are in Central MK, it is worth popping in.

21 April 2018

Deary me no! It's just what I have been doing has ended up in the bin!

After my last flurry of creativity with acrylics I got very distracted.

Now I am a huge fan of the Kemshalls, so as a little birthday present to myself I treated myself to a season of their DMTV videos.

And to be fair to Laura, it was she who kick started me jnto the little foray in acrylic painting.

But then I got hugely distracted with techniques that they were demonstrating and which I don't need but thought I'd try anyway.

So I had a go at their acrylic skins - writing with acrylic paint onto plastic and, when dry, painting acrylic medium on top. These you then peel off the plastic and use in mixed media. That's the theory anyway.

I cannot tell you how much I hated my foray into acrylic skins. And mine didn't so much end up in mixed media as in mixed refuse!

Sorry Laura, not your fault but not for me.

Then I got distracted with an old half finished quilt I decided to cut up, again inspired by something Laura did. I had all sorts of grand plans to mount the various bits of chopped quilt onto box canvases. Another disaster!

I use them for monoprinting (not for the faint hearted if, like me, you print with tissue paper! They dry quickly, one of their key features, which means if you don't move quickly the paint simply bonds the tissue to the printing plate) and for decorating background papers which I use for collage.

I also print with hand made print blocks using acrylics.

But I have never actually tried to just use acrylic paints to build up layers on their own.

I was having one of those days when I just needed to find something really absorbing to do. What with the day job being very full on plus having to clear my late mums house, things have been hard work of late.

I just needed something really therapeutic.

The process is extremely satisfying. I started by building up blocks of colour. As you can see, some of the paints mixed on the paper. While you don't want everything to turn into a muddy brown, you also don't need to be too precious.

Once the background was covered it was then a case of adding pattern.

I used stencils, the side of an old credit card to print simple lines, the end of a paint brush to also dab simply shapes and scrafito (scraping off paint with the end of a small paint brush to reveal the paint underneath)

I gradually built up the layers, until I was satisfied. On this first outing I ended up with two finished papers. I produced them simultaneously (the same paints etc.) but just varied the backgrounds slightly.

I just love these. The big question is what next. I have ideas brewing. I am wondering about printing these onto velvet. I think they might make spectacular cushions. What do you think?

And then the whole thing got even easier because I selected a roll that was nearly finished (there were only a couple of meters left on it) and ended up with the fabric I needed and still attached to the original cardboard tube.

This tube I hung from the studio ceiling - or rather off the roof joists (its a simple conservatory with a polycarbonate roof mounted on timber supports) - a slightly Heath Robinson affair with rings I found in my tool box and fishing twine threaded through the tube so that it can be 'rolled' by hand.

And it works - it can be dropped down and onto a table top and then rolled back up when I have finished.

It doesn't quite have the finesse of a proper studio set up (or even a blind - it's a bit of a fiddle to rewind) - but it works! And it did not break the bank!

Though I still have to work out how to photograph framed pictures without getting some reflection in the glass.

Welcome!

I'm Hilary, a textile and stitch enthusiast but with a day job that could not be further removed from the world of art and textiles. I enjoy writing my blog, recording my life outside of the day job, discovering my art and finding that work life balance - hence the title of this blog. I hope you enjoy reading about these little adventures too.